Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Sevehn J. Venable, also known as “Tuka,” of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a determinate sentence of 10 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On April 8, 2020, at approximately 11:16 p.m., the defendant shot a victim, who was sitting inside a vehicle, with an illegal gun on Madison Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim was taken to ECMC to be treated for a serious injury. The defendant also intimidated a witness to the crime by making threats over the phone.

Venable pleaded guilty to all charges in the indictment against him on November 6, 2020.

• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class “B” felony
• One count of Assault in the First Degree, Class “B” felony
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class “C” felony
• One count of Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree, Class “E” felony

“Unfortunately, many shootings in the City of Buffalo remain unsolved because victims and witnesses to the crime are afraid or unwilling to cooperate with the investigation and provide essential information to law enforcement. Despite suffering a serious physical injury, the victim of this shooting was uncooperative. I want to thank the witness to this crime for providing information that lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of this defendant,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

DA Flynn commends Detectives Erin McCarthy and Anthony LaPiana of the Buffalo Police Department and E District patrol officers for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick B. Shanahan of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the DA’s Justice Courts Bureau.